10 restaurants with great views

Jan. 31, 2013

The river is just one part of the view from Primavista's perch in Price Hill. / File

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One of the best additions to a good restaurant meal is a nice view out the window. In Greater Cincinnati, the view that really matters is a view of the river. The following list features almost exclusively Ohio River views but some combine people-watching with that feeling a good view gives you: of being lord of all you survey.

Primavista: The river is just one part of the view from this west-side Italian restaurant: you can also see Downtown Cincinnati off in the middle distance, looking a little like the Emerald City. It’s in context, with the railroad tracks leading into and out of Union Terminal in the foreground. 910 Matson Place, Price Hill, 513-251-6467.

Moerlein Lager House: The latest restaurant to open on the window doesn’t have a view from every seat, but from the balcony and many of the upstairs table, you can see over the new Phyllis Smale Park, the Suspension Bridge, and Covington. While drinking local beer. 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, 513-421-2337.

360 Revolving Restaurant: The only revolving restaurant left in Greater Cincinnati turns slowly so that you can see it all. You see the wide swath of the Cut in the Hill, and a good look at the river as it curves into Indiana. It's a much better sight at night, when lighting gives the more mundane parts of the landscape a certain romance. There’s a new chef and menu. 668 West Fifth St., Covington. 859-491-5300.

View Cucina : This is an unusual river view, and an unexpected one. The Ohio’s in the distance, seen only from the deck of this modern Italian restaurant in the Edgecliff Apartments in Walnut Hills. I love the secluded location, giving this a hideaway kind of feel. 2200 Victory Parkway, Walnut Hills, 513-751-8439

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Montgomery Inn Boathouse The Boathouse, situated at the east end of Sawyer Point, offers a nice scene of the church steeples and green hills across the river behind Bellevue and Dayton, plus Don Pablos’ and Riverboat Row in Newport. They serve ribs and other meaty dishes to about 800,000 people a year. 925 Riverside Dr., Downtown, 513-721-7427

Don Pablo’s: Or, you can sit on Don Pablo's deck and look across the river at The Boathouse, with Mt. Adams behind it with its houses climbing up the side of the hill leading to the church at the top. The patio is big, with colorful pansies in planters on the rails. And, the tortilla chips are good.401 Riverboat Row, Newport, 859-261-7100

Claddagh Irish Pub in Newport on the Levee: Inside, you might think you were in Ireland; on the outdoor patio, you know it’s Cincinnati, because the Purple People bridge looms up to the right, which offers some fun people-watching. The Suspension Bridge is to the left, Sawyer Point straight across. 1 Levee Way, Newport, 859-581-8888

Cabana on the River : Open only in the summer, this popular west side bar serves salads and burgers along with fancy drinks and Long Island Iced Tea. It can be a little hard to find: look for off River Road in Addyston. Once you get there, you’re in a hideaway with a view of green Kentucky Hills and the river. 7445 Forbes Rd., 513-941-7442

City View Tavern : So many views are marred because they're dominated by highways, which aren't that picturesque. From the City View deck, you can see the skyline, especially the P&G towers, the river, the flags at Sawyer Point and the I-471 bridge. But the trees growing below the tavern frame the view and block out the highway. A bloody Mary makes it look even better. . . 403 Oregon St., Mount Adams, -843859-2419

Ludlow-Bromley Yacht Club: This is not so much looking at the river as sitting right on it. A barge moored on the bank is the site of a party at all times: There are bands on the weekend, there is Monday night’s steak cook-out, a Sunday breakfast buffet. ribs night, ladies night, Reds night. The view is the west side of Cincinnati, particularly Mount Echo park, so it’s very pretty. 860 Elm St., Ludlow, 859-291-8132